Relative calm in Sa’ada, mediation committee faces difficulties [Archives:2007/1062/Front Page]

Mohammed bin Sallam
SA'ADA, June 24 ) Yasser Al-Awadhi, a spokesman for the committee tasked with implementing the Sa'ada ceasefire, told media outlets that significant difficulties are hindering the committee's work, hinting that Houthis affected by the war are full of gall.

Al-Awadhi, deputy head of Parliament's General People's Congress bloc, pointed out that while the difficulties are many, the committee's task isn't impossible, assuring that it will proceed in its tasks in the coming days.

He also indicated that up until now, they and the Qatari mediation delegation have been unable to meet with Houthi leaders; however, they established phone contact via local mediators.

Al-Awadhi added that the committee last Sunday discussed how to implement the ceasefire agreement's second article, which dictates Houthis handing over their medium-sized weapons and descending from the mountains.

Sources reveal that calm has dominated Sa'ada's districts since last Wednesday, following the ceasefire agreement signed between Yemeni government forces and Houthi loyalists.

However, tribal sources report tension between the two warring sides in Wadi Al-Ghail, where a large number of pro-army tribal fighters are positioned. Fierce clashes broke out Friday and continued until Sunday, although intermittently.

Intermittent confrontations also were recorded in Qataber and Munbeh districts involving Houthis, tribal fighters and locals in the two districts; however, the number of victims remains unknown.

Abdulmalik Al-Houthi has declared that Houthis won't remain inactive unless the authority ceases its attacks on some Sa'ada areas.

In a statement released last Tuesday, Al-Houthi pointed out that Yemeni authorities haven't halted their aggression, despite progress achieved in negotiations. He called on the state to respect the mediators because they are exerting strong efforts to stop the bloodshed and treat the war's consequences.

“If the authorities continue their aggression against us and decline all mediation efforts, we won't remain motionless, but we will exercise our rights to defend ourselves,” he warned.

He further called upon those he termed as “liberals and honest people” to continue their efforts to halt the aggression and devastation and treat the current situation via peaceful means, noting that battles continue being fought in Qataber district, as well as Al-Saifi, Al-Masa'ah and other areas.

Sa'ada locals and human rights organizations in Sana'a denounced the negligence of the Yemeni government and charitable societies toward the displaced peoples of Sa'ada.

“There's overwhelming public resentment about the issue of displaced peoples in Sa'ada, who amount to 60,000, while no one is paying attention to them,” a Yemeni Socialist Party official told Aleshteraki.net.

“The governorate's sons, especially those whose homes were demolished, are bitter at the negligence of the government and their fellow citizens. What increases that bitterness is the fact that no party or charitable society has sent any medical or relief supplies to the dozens of displaced families.”

The official added, “We thought the end of military operations would open the door for the media and charitable societies to raise funds and provide food and medicine to displaced people in Sa'ada, but this hasn't happened.”

He stressed that Sa'ada locals are not poor and they aren't beggars; rather, they are citizens displaced by the more than four-year-old dirty war that crippled their businesses.

For its part, the Civil Society Coalition demanded the Yemeni government stick to the ceasefire agreement, lift the media blackout and send aid to the displaced people in Sa'ada, stressing the importance of withdrawing military barracks from population areas and treating the war's consequences regarding detainees and those fired from their jobs over the situation. One article of the recently signed ceasefire agreement dictates treating the issue of detainees and those affected by the war.

Fired Member of Parliament Yahya Al-Houthi hailed Qatari efforts resulting in the ceasefire between the Yemeni government and Houthis, considering it a political feat and a triumph over those wanting to incite sectarian sedition in Yemen.

He further indicated that the agreement includes many articles, topped by freedom of expression and the possibility of forming a political party for Houthis, together with freeing all arrestees and exchanging captives. He demanded all government and pro-government media outlets halt the media war regarding applying the agreement, which bans such incitements.

Al-Houthi went on to say that they recently managed to create an electronic web site to present their viewpoint and they now are preparing to launch a satellite channel whose main task is to present Houthi viewpoints to both the Yemeni and the Islamic public, as well as revive Zaidi doctrine.

Moreover, Al-Houthi praised the efforts of the Yemeni opposition, particularly the Joint Meeting Parties, noting that Houthis maintain good relations with opposition both inside and outside of Yemen.

In related news, Bahraini Interior Minster Gen. Rashid Abdullah Al-Khalifa noted that his ministry has received no information about any Bahrainis involved in supporting Houthis in Yemen.

Responding to Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi's statement regarding Yemen having material evidence of such groups' involvement with Houthis, Al-Khalifa said his government is contacting the Yemeni side to learn the names of the alleged Houthi supporters.

He stressed that his country will investigate any individual or group providing such support, if proven, noting that Bahrain is keen not to interfere in other nations' affairs.

Al-Qirbi told media outlets that some groups in Bahrain support Houthis; however, he declined to provide further details.
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